Emily’s POV
I couldn’t help but stare at Alex’s peaceful face while he was sleeping. He was so handsome under the dim hospital light.
My gaze started to trace every line of his handsome features, memorizing every line of his perfectly crafted face.
My gaze landed on his full, kissable lips, and my hand unwillingly moved to my own, feeling my face heat as I recalled how his mouth made love to me.
“What’s wrong with me?” I suddenly growled under my breath. “I can’t do this!”
Yet I couldn’t drag my gaze away from his sleeping features.
Everything inside me called me toward him, and my body happily complied with the silent call.
I closed my eyes just for a bare second, yet memories flashed before my eyes, reminding me of his tender and warm touch.
Alex was so careful-
Was it wrong of me to want to spend some time with my fated mate?
Would I hurt him if I learned to know him and then left?
Will that make me a bad person?
I had this need, deep inside me, to touch him, even when my mind screamed at me not to.
I sighed, lifting my hand to my lips, and walked to the window.
The pull toward Alex had become unbearable. The mate bond was slowly making it impossible to stay away.
I now had the constant need to stay by his side. Feelings of excitement and longing bubbled up inside me, leaving me angry, sad, and confused.
I shook my head, turning to look out the window at the crescent moon.
“Mother Moon,” I whispered. “Why did my life take such a curve? Why can’t I just have a normal life and family?”
The moon rose in silence, not leaving me a clue.
My gaze wandered outside, seeking something to distract me, and I settled on pack members starting off to the clearing. They will be going out on the hunt soon.
On nights like these, I would be the first to be down in the clearing, preparing myself for the thrill of the hunt. Tonight, I had no desire to be outside or get soaked in blood.
“Will my life ever be normal?” I asked, dropping my gaze to my hands. A small smile followed at the corners of my lips as I noticed the small red flame appearing on my fingertips.
“It is still unbelievably magical,” I whispered to myself, as I allowed the flame to dance and move between my fingers.
My life was quiet and perfect. I wasn’t ashamed of it. I couldn’t just pack up and leave, not after all the work I had put into it.
Yet my gaze moved to Alex, silently lying on the bed.
“Can’t we just have both worlds?” Willow whimpered. “I know you care for Alex.”
“Willow,” I said, feeling my heart pinch. “You know we can’t stay here; we have a duty to fulfill.”
“I know,” Willow said. “But he is our mate! Can’t we just-”
“Our destiny is much more important than staying with our mate!” I said. “We need to find out why…”
“Just stop!” Willow yelled out in frustration. “Alex will help us. I know he will. He is our mate, and he will do anything for us. Just give him a chance. Give us a chance!”
“And what if he is part of the rogue attacks?” I growled, making her silent. “How would I explain that to King Alpha Xavier?”
Willow pulled her ears against her head, unable to argue. She knew I was right.
“I can’t allow my feelings for Alex to come in the way of duty,” I said. “I must help save the werewolf species; I will not allow the mate bond to influence my mind.”
“Emily.” Alex moaned my name in his sleep, breaking my wrath, and my gaze snapped toward him. “No, no, no! Don’t leave me! No!”
“Is he awake?” Willow asked.
“Not sure,” I said, going closer to the bed.
Alex’s eyes were moving under his closed eyelids, his hands twitched, and his body became restless.
“Please, Emily,” he murmured. “Please don’t leave me again! I beg of you!”
A cold shiver ran down my heart, and in the heat of the moment, I took Alex’s hand in mine.
Spark erupted where our skin touched, and Alex became calmer.
“See,” Willow mused. “Alex needs you just as much as we need him.”
“We can’t, Willow,” I said.
I sat down on the cold, hard hospital chair, and my thoughts wandered off while listening to Alex’s soft snoring.
Somewhere during the early hours of the night, I drifted off, dreaming of Alex and our first night together.
I woke up with the sun kissing my left cheek, and I moaned under my breath.
My hand moved over the bed linen, and I froze, noticing the bed was empty-Alex was gone!
What the f*ck? Did something happen to him?
My mind went into overdrive, thinking of the worst-case scenarios. I wasn’t ready to say goodbye!
“Good morning, sleepy head.” Alex’s husky voice filled the air, and my gaze automatically snapped, bewildered, toward the sound of his voice.
“Alex, you are awake!” I gasped, jumped to my feet, and leaped into his arms. “I was so worried!”
Alex chuckled, amused, and my body froze the second I realized what I had done.
That didn’t stop Alex; he wrapped his arms around me, pulled me closer to his rock-hard chest, and buried his head in my nape, taking a deep whiff of my scent.
Was he about to mark me?
“I-” I gasped, panicking.
Alex lifted his gaze, seemingly confused, and searched mine-his eyes a beautiful light silver color.
“I have missed you,” he muttered, closing his eyes. “I thought you had left me again.”
Alex looked so relaxed and happy, yet I couldn’t help noticing the worry behind those last words.
He didn’t want me to leave. He wants me to stay!
I wasn’t sure if I should yell out of joy or just flee the room.
“I-” I started, swallowing hard at the lump that had formed in my throat.
“What’s wrong?” He asked, his eyes darkening-he must have noticed the shift in my mood.
“Alex,” I said, my voice barely a murmur. “I can’t do this. I-I-I need to leave.”
For a moment, Alex just stared down at me, not saying a single word. I was sure he was weighing his options; maybe he was even thinking of giving in and rejecting me.
A sad smile followed on Alex’s lips, yet there was no trace of anger in his eyes.
“Okay,” he said, letting go of me, and I took an unwilling step back.
Just ‘okay’?
I was stunned-Alex wasn’t going to force me to stay. Was he going to reject me then?
“But you can’t leave for the White Moon pack on an empty stomach,” he said. “What will the king think of me if he finds out I have not fed one of his warriors?”
Alex wants to have breakfast with me. Does he want to share a meal with me?
The thought caught me off guard.
“No, no!” I said. “I’m fine. I’ll get something to eat on the road.”
“I insist,” Alex said, holding out his hand to me and smiling.
My heart leaped out of my chest; his smile was so powerful that it would melt any ice-cold heart.
I just couldn’t resist; I wouldn’t mind spending a few more minutes with my mate.
“Very well,” I said, accepting his offer. “But I have one condition: we need to work through the pack reports!”
Alex nodded, smiling, taking my hand, and kissing the top of my fingers.
“You wouldn’t regret it for one minute,” he said.
Oh, Goddess, this was going to be a long, uncomfortable, and unforgettable breakfast.
Will I be able to control my urges while being alone with Alex?
****